There seems to be a growing number of club/hipster places downtown, but is there anywhere a person can go and get quietly drunk anymore?
A kind of place that isn't for the beautiful people, where at least 2/3rd of the drinks served are some shade of brown, where there isn't techno music playing, and there's no trendy art prints on the wall.
Basically the kind of place where Clint Eastwood would go to drink in the corner to forget all the people he killed in some movie.
Wall Street in Riverside is a great dive and probably my favorite in Jax. Although, not open on Sundays...which any good dive should be. (for religious reasons I heard?? is that right? bizarre) A dive should also open @ 6am and have regulars waiting to get in...but I digress.
Ginger's @ the beach is also good and divey...not sure if the bartenders have all of their teeth, but, they have the ones that count....
Cheers in Mandarin...not really a dive, too clean, but a dive for Mandarin. Clint would end up banging one of the bartenders there...they're hot in a blond/big hair honky tonk sort of way.
That's all I got for ya...if you're heading to LA, let me know...I've put alot of time in the best dive bars out west.
The Alibi in Murray Hill is great but beer only...
The Blue Marlin Bar inside Gene's Seafood at University and San Jose
St. Nick Lounge in St. Nicholas, between Beach and Atlantic
Didn't there use to be some tiny place in off of San Marco behind the old Worman's?
I've been to the Blue Marlin....
Anyone recall the Bier Stube in Southside, or the Seaclusion Lounge at Jacksonville Beach?
correction: off of San Marco Boulevard towards the river.
Quote from: billy on June 27, 2010, 12:43:50 PM
correction: off of San Marco Boulevard towards the river.
it is called Sherwoods...and its still there
?
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 27, 2010, 01:59:04 PM
Quote from: billy on June 27, 2010, 12:43:50 PM
correction: off of San Marco Boulevard towards the river.
it is called Sherwoods...and its still there
What's the vibe/clientele?
Poster asked for best dive bar...not just dive bars. Alibi doesn't count because it doesn't have liquor and, quite frankly, it is a shithole, not a dive. The kind of place when you leave you say to yourself, what a shithole. Especially since it's plastered with Steelers crap; it only enhances it shitholiness. LMAO
I'm not sure if it's still there or not but The Landing on Lake Shore Blvd might work. Malabar on Beach Blvd...once again, if it's still there...maybe.
My favorite used to be Monty's West Inn...before the damn "Cantina" phase. Now that that's done, it might be a good dive again. Of course...there is always the Tradewinds downtown St. A.
Malabar is long gone .. its a strip club by some other name now.. Malabar was there for the longest time..
I think its called Poison or Poseidon or something like that... Posse ?? :D
QuoteEspecially since it's plastered with Steelers crap; it only enhances it shitholiness. LMAO
LOL
I would agree with Wall Street, Sherwoods(once had the obnoxiously bright idea to walk from Sherwoods to a Jags game after we did too much pregaming), Montys, and Gingers(especially if you like drunk karaoke in tight quarters).
I'd add Pete's in Neptune(how could you not?) and Cliff's in Arlington(easy place if you're looking to run game).
I miss the bar portion at the old Campechee Bay on Atlantic.
Timkin, Malabar is now a place called Passions. It doesnt live up to its namesake though, lol.
Now after reading this thread I have an inkling to pull up some Stiff Little Fingers in the Ipod and head out to one of the aforementioned dive bars. :)
The Seaclusion Lounge!
Now that is a fond memory! I was there as a wee young man. I was waiting tables at 12 North & got to know the owner Frank Dickinson and superstar beaches bartending legend 'Marilyn'.
Wasn't a true dive bar (too nice inside), but it was the last oceanfront topless (no bikini tops required back then) bar at the beach. Frank used to say his huge flashing sign cost him a nickel each time it flashed!
Yes, Jax Beach in the 70's was actually kind of fun, if you didn't get your ass kicked (actually nothing has changed in that department)!
Here's another that was a dive in Jax Bch: 'Jerry's Purple Turtle'. That was a place they could have shot the movie 'Barfly' in. The bartenders had "shortened" pool cue handles at their disposal since there were sooo many fights!
Jeez, I guess I am officially old now, lol!!
Great thread! 8)
Passions... o ok my bad. I knew it was P-something Passions Poison poseidon posse poopoo or something.. Its not Malabar and has not been in a long time
Does anyone remember the Sea Diver in Orange Park just outside the Jax city limits ?
Pete's is a great dive bar. Up behind the bar they have one of the Sten-type machine guns that the German saboteurs were caught with when they washed ashore in Pontre Vedra. That alone scores big in dive bar points.
O'Malleys (St. Augustine Road, just off of San Jose) in Mandarin and Sherwoods ("Slurwoods" to the locals) on the South Bank have always been my favorite dive bars in Jacksonville.
O'Malleys. You want a dive bar to be dark and smokey so that your eyes hurt when you walk outside and realize that it is still light out. And they have darts, pool and foosball.
Sherwood's is a classic, as is St. Nicks. Wall Street definitely fits the bill of a place so smokey that your eyes hurt.
Pete's is horrible nowadays. Filled with "Salt Life" knuckle-draggers and beach-frat boys. Slurwords is always great for a good "I forgot where I left my pants last night" time. But Wall Street is my dive of choice and I will always sing its' smoke-filled praises.
Ahhh St. Nicks. Always some entertainment to watch in that place :o
What's the name of the bar right by moon river pizza in murray hill? I've never had a drink there but that place is pretty scary...
Alibi, nevermind
I'm inspired. Tuesday night (my only night "off") I'm going to put some time in at Wall Street. Smokey, drinky, dartsy time. Have to take a cab ride home (5 blocks) time. You know what I'm talkin about...
Full member post! LOL
*** Wall Street ***
I'll try and mozy up there tomorrow night.
Pat's Liquors and Lounge @ the corner of Highway Ave & Cassat makes Wall St & Sherwoods smell like a sterile hospital room. "The Office" is another dive but only in the same vein as Alibi.
There's a bar or two off Tallyrand that i've heard to be ultimate dives, but I haven't ventured out to those places yet. Not sure if I want to either, i've heard it's the type of place that has a lot of barfights. No thanks, paying for booze + tip just to be on edge, i can do that at home for free!
Quote from: Timkin on June 27, 2010, 09:52:07 PM
Does anyone remember the Sea Diver in Orange Park just outside the Jax city limits ?
OMG, Tim, you had to bring that one up! That was the dive of choice for mom and 2 aunts back in the day! Right there on 17 and Wells Rd.
I live right around the corner from a local dive, Timuquana Liquors. They're, um,
interesting.
Quote from: David on June 28, 2010, 01:45:24 PM
Pat's Liquors and Lounge @ the corner of Highway Ave & Cassat makes Wall St & Sherwoods smell like a sterile hospital room. "The Office" is another dive but only in the same vein as Alibi.
There's a bar or two off Tallyrand that i've heard to be ultimate dives, but I haven't ventured out to those places yet. Not sure if I want to either, i've heard it's the type of place that has a lot of barfights. No thanks, not paying for booze + tip just to be on edge, i can do that at home!
Is one named Bill's? Bill's Tavern? Looks very longshoremanish/ stevedorey kind of joint.
The Sea Diver broke me of liking Bahama Blues ......about 5 too many at once :D now I cannot even smell the drink and not get nauseated.
Wild Bill's Saloon @ 8th & Talleyrand. Biker bar, just beer. Paxon Lounge on the westside is kinda divish.
If you're into beer only, there's also the Walnut Inn just above 10th on Walnut. Good jukebox, interesting clientele.
Quote from: 02roadking on June 28, 2010, 03:36:50 PM
Wild Bill's Saloon @ 8th & Talleyrand. Biker bar, just beer. Paxon Lounge on the westside is kinda divish.
That's it. Great name.
My personal favorite is "The Pub" next door to Celebration's Liquor on Beach Blvd just East of Hodges Blvd. Kind of smokey.. but I can walk home from there!!
Is that the place across from Darumas?
I went in there once and it took about two cycles through the washing machine to get the smoke smell out of my clothes.
LOL@ Fieldafm :)
The Pub is a pretty good spot, I used to hit it when I lived off of Kernan.
Follow me to Joby's!
Does anyone remember OP that used to be near the foot of the Acosta? Pretty sure it came down to make way for the new bridge.
North bank or south?
oh yes! The OP!
On the riverside/brooklyn end of the Acosta bridge. Beautiful people..."We are the World" sung in a circle with everyone holding hands. Those were the days.
North bank.
That was a fun place. I never felt uncomfortable going in there.. sure hated to see it go . College Station was also pretty groovy too
Hi all,
New member here, apologies for dragging up an 'old' thread!
I am a 'Brit', 'Limey', (or whatever you want to call me!), who served in the Royal Navy in the '70s - I visited Mayport many times and of course nearly always ended up in Jacksonville.
The reason for my post is that I remember the 'Seaclusion Lounge' very well, in fact I hooked up with one of the girls who worked there. Unfortunately I can't remember her name but I do, to this day, still have a memento she gave me, a kind of necklace thing, a bit like a garter, that all the girls used to wear around their necks.
Anyway, just thought I would share that memory with you!
I am doing a 'Fly/Drive' to Florida this coming May and think I may have to change my itinerary to include Jacksonville Beach - I'm betting it's changed beyond recognition from the '70s!
Happy times! :)
Anyone know anything about Tradewinds, over on Edgewood?
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tradewinds-jacksonville
It always looks empty, yet it's always open. I drive by often enough on my way to Winn Dixie, but I've never gone in.
I love Wall Street! It's my favorite bar in 5 Points. It's cozy, dark, old school; reminds me of a lot of the places I used to go to in Seattle, and then Chicago, in the 90s...
Tradewinds is just beer and wine from what I understand...
Anybody know anything about the Island Bar right there in the middle of Roosevelt/McDuff?
Typical outlaw place: Budweiser & Sutter Home. Skanks and bad tats. Skunky smell in the restrooms and razor blade nicks on the sink countertop.
Quote from: 02roadking on June 28, 2010, 03:36:50 PM
Wild Bill's Saloon @ 8th & Talleyrand. Biker bar, just beer.
Looks like we have a winner. It has by far the best google review I've ever seen.
"Jumanji - Dec 29, 2011
The girls will blow you for $20, great place."
When there isn't a show going on, I really like Shantytown. It's small, cozy and you usually get a few characters in there.
Shhhhh Bewler......Damn!
Quote from: RockStar on February 26, 2012, 12:51:14 PM
Tradewinds is just beer and wine from what I understand...
Anybody know anything about the Island Bar right there in the middle of Roosevelt/McDuff?
Island Bar...
If the cops want to grab some people for DUI, always figured that's the place to camp. There's no walking to that place.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on February 26, 2012, 12:58:10 PM
Typical outlaw place: Budweiser & Sutter Home. Skanks and bad tats. Skunky smell in the restrooms and razor blade nicks on the sink countertop.
Where??
Quote from: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:31:39 PM
Quote from: RockStar on February 26, 2012, 12:51:14 PM
Tradewinds is just beer and wine from what I understand...
Anybody know anything about the Island Bar right there in the middle of Roosevelt/McDuff?
Island Bar...
If the cops want to grab some people for DUI, always figured that's the place to camp. There's no walking to that place.
But it would be the right place in a hurricane. It's made of welded plate steel.
If you walked there it would be a real live game of frogger.
I’m actually surprised no one mentioned Shantytown until now.
Let’s see what else? I’ve never been to The Rooster in Bayard but I’ve always heard good things about its divey/biker bar-ness. Too bad Doozers is gone also.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 27, 2012, 04:40:45 PM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on February 26, 2012, 12:58:10 PM
Typical outlaw place: Budweiser & Sutter Home. Skanks and bad tats. Skunky smell in the restrooms and razor blade nicks on the sink countertop.
Where??
Right at the apex where old Roosevelt Blvd and the Roosevelt on ramp come together, just past the JEA sub-station.
My contributions to the discussion:
The alibi: Edgewood by Perfect Rack
McB's: Intersection of St Augustine and DuPont
Local's: Southbank
Kristen's: On the Cedar River
Reni's Red Neck Yacht Club - US 17 N at the Duval/Nassau line.
Quote from: 02roadking on February 27, 2012, 04:30:12 PM
Shhhhh Bewler......Damn!
What? Don't want that cat out of the bag?
Sherwoods checks all my boxes when it comes to a good dive bar: cheap drinks, tons of bar games and friendly bartenders.
Quote from: Sigma on February 27, 2012, 04:46:01 PM
Reni's Red Neck Yacht Club - US 17 N at the Duval/Nassau line.
Seconded. Karaoke night on the deck is the best!!
Quote from: PorchCats on June 28, 2010, 03:58:36 PM
If you're into beer only, there's also the Walnut Inn just above 10th on Walnut. Good jukebox, interesting clientele.
Stopped in here last week for a beer. Not a bad place, friendly people and cold beer even if it is mostly Bush and Bud. I'll be back. :)
I doubt it's considered a "dive bar" (you must excuse me, I don't drink much at all), but the little bar in the back of Riverside Wine and Liquors is bar none my favorite place to grab a drink at the end of the day. Super friendly staff, good prices, and a great atmosphere. Catch them at the beginning of the week, you have a table to yourself and it's quiet enough to read a book with a glass of wine. Catch them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you can get drunk there with anyone from a 25-year-old 5 Pointer to a 65 year old doctor. Love the place.
Quote from: ben says on March 18, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
I doubt it's considered a "dive bar" (you must excuse me, I don't drink much at all), but the little bar in the back of Riverside Wine and Liquors is bar none my favorite place to grab a drink at the end of the day. Super friendly staff, good prices, and a great atmosphere. Catch them at the beginning of the week, you have a table to yourself and it's quiet enough to read a book with a glass of wine. Catch them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you can get drunk there with anyone from a 25-year-old 5 Pointer to a 65 year old doctor. Love the place.
And you can have a conversation without screaming over load music. Wine selection is great, bar tender is so-so. Very civilized, not dive at all. Good neighborhood people.
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 19, 2012, 09:02:30 AM
Quote from: ben says on March 18, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
I doubt it's considered a "dive bar" (you must excuse me, I don't drink much at all), but the little bar in the back of Riverside Wine and Liquors is bar none my favorite place to grab a drink at the end of the day. Super friendly staff, good prices, and a great atmosphere. Catch them at the beginning of the week, you have a table to yourself and it's quiet enough to read a book with a glass of wine. Catch them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you can get drunk there with anyone from a 25-year-old 5 Pointer to a 65 year old doctor. Love the place.
And you can have a conversation without screaming over load music. Wine selection is great, bar tender is so-so. Very civilized, not dive at all. Good neighborhood people.
Any idea if Scotty still tends the bar?
QuoteReni's Red Neck Yacht Club - US 17 N at the Duval/Nassau line
The last time I went there... they were still selling cans of Four Loko, which I thought was a terrible idea.
I still like Pete's and Cliffs(on Monument-it doesn't smell nearly as bad now that they ripped up all that old carpet) as my 'dive bars' of choice when I'm feeling low brow.
Quote from: fieldafm on March 19, 2012, 09:26:48 AM
QuoteReni's Red Neck Yacht Club - US 17 N at the Duval/Nassau line
The last time I went there... they were still selling cans of Four Loko, which I thought was a terrible idea.
I still like Pete's and Cliffs(on Monument-it doesn't smell nearly as bad now that they ripped up all that old carpet) as my 'dive bars' of choice when I'm feeling low brow.
Don't mean to hijack this thread but why shouldn't adults be able to buy Four Loko?
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on March 19, 2012, 10:10:13 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on March 19, 2012, 09:26:48 AM
QuoteReni's Red Neck Yacht Club - US 17 N at the Duval/Nassau line
The last time I went there... they were still selling cans of Four Loko, which I thought was a terrible idea.
I still like Pete's and Cliffs(on Monument-it doesn't smell nearly as bad now that they ripped up all that old carpet) as my 'dive bars' of choice when I'm feeling low brow.
Don't mean to hijack this thread but why shouldn't adults be able to buy Four Loko?
I didn't mean it as a morality play, you can drink whatever the hell you want as long as it's legal... I witnessed bikers slamming back mulitple Four Lokos and then getting back on the hog and riding off. That's a horrible idea any way you slice it.
anybody been to Wild Bill's on Tallyrand?
Quote from: ben says on March 19, 2012, 09:18:45 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 19, 2012, 09:02:30 AM
Quote from: ben says on March 18, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
I doubt it's considered a "dive bar" (you must excuse me, I don't drink much at all), but the little bar in the back of Riverside Wine and Liquors is bar none my favorite place to grab a drink at the end of the day. Super friendly staff, good prices, and a great atmosphere. Catch them at the beginning of the week, you have a table to yourself and it's quiet enough to read a book with a glass of wine. Catch them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you can get drunk there with anyone from a 25-year-old 5 Pointer to a 65 year old doctor. Love the place.
And you can have a conversation without screaming over load music. Wine selection is great, bar tender is so-so. Very civilized, not dive at all. Good neighborhood people.
Any idea if Scotty still tends the bar?
Yes. We all miss Kyle who was a wizard and creative as hell. Unfortunately he was a warrior type and has now finished Airborne training and is headed for Afghanistan. Born to be a soldier.
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 19, 2012, 03:34:34 PM
Quote from: ben says on March 19, 2012, 09:18:45 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 19, 2012, 09:02:30 AM
Quote from: ben says on March 18, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
I doubt it's considered a "dive bar" (you must excuse me, I don't drink much at all), but the little bar in the back of Riverside Wine and Liquors is bar none my favorite place to grab a drink at the end of the day. Super friendly staff, good prices, and a great atmosphere. Catch them at the beginning of the week, you have a table to yourself and it's quiet enough to read a book with a glass of wine. Catch them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you can get drunk there with anyone from a 25-year-old 5 Pointer to a 65 year old doctor. Love the place.
And you can have a conversation without screaming over load music. Wine selection is great, bar tender is so-so. Very civilized, not dive at all. Good neighborhood people.
Any idea if Scotty still tends the bar?
Yes. We all miss Kyle who was a wizard and creative as hell. Unfortunately he was a warrior type and has now finished Airborne training and is headed for Afghanistan. Born to be a soldier.
I take it you're not a fan of the current bartender? Any reasons?
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
Try Birdies. Across the street. They let you bring your dog into the bar.
Its been a while but BO's coral reef was always a great dive.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 24, 2012, 08:40:57 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
Try Birdies. Across the street. They let you bring your dog into the bar.
I love the look, vibe, and crowd I see at Birdies...but every time I walk in, or attempt to hang out there, I become overwhelmed with the bad attitude coming from the bar tender and the wretched smell of stale beer and vomit. Maybe I should try the porch!
Or try the Wall next door. It's smokey, but doesn't stink of stale beer, etc. They keep it scrubbed clean. Slightly older group. It's too small to have a crowd.
Quote from: ben says on March 24, 2012, 09:07:53 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 24, 2012, 08:40:57 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
Try Birdies. Across the street. They let you bring your dog into the bar.
I love the look, vibe, and crowd I see at Birdies...but every time I walk in, or attempt to hang out there, I become overwhelmed with the bad attitude coming from the bar tender and the wretched smell of stale beer and vomit. Maybe I should try the porch!
I agree the main bartender plays the "ignore you till I feel like serving you" game, but the other staff are really nice and they do get to you eventually. As long as I can have a drink and play pool with my pup, I'm fine with it taking a bit to get a drink. There is no other bar to my knowledge that lets you bring your dog. She goes pretty much everywhere with me, so that's a big selling point. I also found the crowd is nice and friendly, which is a plus. They'll get their act together eventually. Jacksonville is basically Mecca for rude bartenders, I am not sure what the deal is with that. They'd be canned after 2 days anywhere else. But after 10 years here, I'm starting to get used to it.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 24, 2012, 01:26:38 PM
Quote from: ben says on March 24, 2012, 09:07:53 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 24, 2012, 08:40:57 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
Try Birdies. Across the street. They let you bring your dog into the bar.
I love the look, vibe, and crowd I see at Birdies...but every time I walk in, or attempt to hang out there, I become overwhelmed with the bad attitude coming from the bar tender and the wretched smell of stale beer and vomit. Maybe I should try the porch!
I agree the main bartender plays the "ignore you till I feel like serving you" game, but the other staff are really nice and they do get to you eventually. As long as I can have a drink and play pool with my pup, I'm fine with it taking a bit to get a drink. There is no other bar to my knowledge that lets you bring your dog. She goes pretty much everywhere with me, so that's a big selling point. I also found the crowd is nice and friendly, which is a plus. They'll get their act together eventually. Jacksonville is basically Mecca for rude bartenders, I am not sure what the deal is with that. They'd be canned after 2 days anywhere else. But after 10 years here, I'm starting to get used to it.
Mecca for rude bartenders...hah yup, sounds about right. Outside of Riverside Wine and Liquors, haven't found a nice one yet.
Will try Birdies again this week. Again, the crowd is great...it's more that one bartender you mentioned, plus the smell. Reminds me of a bar in Charleston called A.C.'s, and I had similar problems with that one too.
Let me know when you're going, always happy to meet another member of the legal tribe.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 24, 2012, 11:31:39 PM
Let me know when you're going, always happy to meet another member of the legal tribe.
Sounds like a plan
I would agree that Wall Street is probably the best Dive bar that serves liquor.
I personally like The Norm on Roosevelt/College and Willowbranch. The Norm doesn't serve liquor, just beer and wine, and is a cash only bar, so it doesn't get too crazy. Even though it caters more to the lesbian/gay crowd, I never have a problem getting something to drink in a timely fashion and usually without the attitude that sometimes comes from the bartenders at places like Birdies. Not to mention they have a little zen garden and a "beach" in the back. :)
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
He is hit or miss as far as his specialty drinks go. Don't be adventurous...stick with something you know. I still request Kyle's "gin blossom" and he can make it. Still love this bar, always interesting regulars to talk to, and you can't beat the free wine tastings every Friday night!
Quote from: t sizzle on May 15, 2012, 12:05:10 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on March 20, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Not Kyle, mainly. Takes shortcuts that lower the quality of the drinks. Not bad, but not outstanding or creative either.
He is hit or miss as far as his specialty drinks go. Don't be adventurous...stick with something you know. I still request Kyle's "gin blossom" and he can make it. Still love this bar, always interesting regulars to talk to, and you can't beat the free wine tastings every Friday night!
Kyle's Gin Blossom was/is really great. The touch of ginger makes them really special. I gave him a bag of real Key Limes every week in season to make them until the frost killed my tree. Made with fresh Key Lime juice they are even better than you know.
Somehow everybody jammed together in that small space makes it more fun, too.
I've been very partial to The Phoenix Taproom as of late, I usually pop in there when I can after work for a couple beers before heading home. I dig the environment. I dig the music, and I can smoke cigs and just hangout/chat to the bartenders/other patrons.
It's a beer bar, Not sure if they have wine or whatnot.
It's where the old imperial used to be.